Parade

We were first introduced to Minka Kelly in 2006 as Lyla Garrity, the wholesome cheerleader who lit up Friday Night Lights. Since then, Kelly has gone on to costar with Leighton Meester in the college horror flick The Roommate, had a stint in the short-lived TV revival of Charlie's Angels, and dated A-listers like Derek Jeter and most recently, Captain America star Chris Evans.

Her latest challenge? Sharing the screening with legends like Oprah, Alan Rickman, and Robin Williams in The Butler, where she plays Jackie Kennedy opposite James Marsden's JFK. The actress calls the experience "humbling. I didn't feel worthy of their company."

Last night, Kelly, 32, helped kick off New York Fashion Week by walking in the Heart Truth Red Dress fashion show in an Oscar de la Renta gown, along with celebrities such as Gabby Douglas, Jillian Michaels, and Wendy Williams. (See photos of all the stars in their dresses!) The event benefits the National Institutes of Health's campaign to raise awareness on women's heart health, an important issue to Kelly. "Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, and I want to use whatever voice I have to inspire women of any age, because you're never too young or too old, to take of their hearts," she says. As for her: "I want to be around to see my grandchildren."

The Friday Night Lights star talked to Parade.com about plans for Valentine's Day, taking on the role of Jackie Kennedy, and her fitness secrets.

On her ideal Valentine's Day. "At home. I think if you're going to have any sort of romance, I don't want to share it with a restaurant full of people I don't know."

On whether she has any Valentine's Day traditions. "Not yet, no. Still trying to find it!"

On how she keeps her heart and body healthy. "I just love working up a sweat. I try to do it every single day. Even if you only have twenty minutes, I think that's better than nothing. I work with a trainer three days a week, and on the days I don't have my trainer, I hike or do yoga, and even if I can't get out and do something as active as that, I dance in my apartment. I put music on, dance around, and just try to keep it moving. I think if you don't move it, you lose it."

On what music motivates her to exercise. "It's usually Beyonce that gets me moving. If she comes on, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I have to bust a move."

Kelly at the 2012 Art of Elysium gala in her favorite red carpet gown

On what she looks for in red carpet gowns. "I try to be comfortable. I look for something that fits properly so I don't have to be pulling on it or fidgeting with it all night. I've worn dresses where that's the case, and I just decided it's more important to be comfortable, because if you're not comfortable, then you're not confident, and that shows. I want to feel like myself, and know that I'm wearing the dress and the dress isn't wearing me."

On her favorite red carpet dress she's ever worn. "It was another Oscar de la Renta dress. It was the lime green, fluorescent yellow dress I wore to the Art of Elysium event last year. That's probably one of my favorite dresses I've worn."

On her usual personal style. "I just like being comfortable. I try to wear high heels as often as I can, but I usually end up in a flat, flip flop or sneaker. I love t-shirts and jeans, but I love an excuse to dress up. I'm a tomboy, but I love to be girly too."

On taking on the role of Jackie Kennedy. "It was an incredible honor to play such a wonderful woman. I did a lot of research. I worked with a dialect coach. I worked really hard to do it as much justice as I could. I just hope that I make her family proud, and I hope I make all the people that loved her proud. It was the most challenging role I've ever played and definitely my favorite."

On the possibility of a Friday Night Lights movie. "If the script makes sense, and it was a good story, it would be great. I think it would also be fine left where it is. I have heard from a lot of people that they would love the movie, and if it made sense, and it was the right story, and everyone wanted to do it, then I think that would be great. I think [executive producer] Jason Katims needs to find the time to write the script, and he's a very busy guy these days. I'm just waiting around for that script."

On whether she's kept in touch with FNL cast mates. "No, over the last few years, I've sort of lost touch with all those guys. Every so often, we will check in with each other and make sure we're all doing okay, and I think we all support each other in what we're doing now. I just ran into Adrianne Palicki, and there's a certain bond that we all have. That was such a special experience, and for a lot of us, our first experience in this business, so I think we're all sort of connected forever."